Cooler Sleeve Assembly

ABSTRACT

A cooler sleeve assembly includes a cooler that has an outer wall and a lid. The cooler is comprised of a thermally insulating material for storing temperature sensitive materials. A sleeve is positionable around the cooler and the sleeve is comprised of a thermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulation properties of the cooler. A cover is hingedly coupled to the sleeve and the cover is positionable between a first position and a second position. The cover is comprised of a thermally insulating material and the cover lies on the lid of the cooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover is positioned in the first position. The cover extends upwardly from the cooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover is positioned in the second position for opening the lid to access an interior of the cooler.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Descriptionof Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to sleeve devices and moreparticularly pertains to a new sleeve device for PURPOSE.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a cooler that has an outer wall and a lid. Thecooler is comprised of a thermally insulating material for storingtemperature sensitive materials. A sleeve is positionable around thecooler and the sleeve is comprised of a thermally insulating materialfor increasing thermal insulation properties of the cooler. A cover ishingedly coupled to the sleeve and the cover is positionable between afirst position and a second position. The cover is comprised of athermally insulating material and the cover lies on the lid of thecooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover ispositioned in the first position. The cover extends upwardly from thecooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover ispositioned in the second position for opening the lid to access aninterior of the cooler.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler sleeve assembly according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right side exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front side exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 of anembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through5 thereof, a new sleeve device embodying the principles and concepts ofan embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the cooler sleeve assembly 10generally comprises a cooler 12 that has an outer wall 14 and a lid 16.The cooler 12 is comprised of a thermally insulating material forstoring temperature sensitive materials, such as frozen food, coldbeverages and any other items commonly stored in a cooler 12.Additionally, the cooler 12 may be an insulated cooler of anyconventional design.

A sleeve 18 is provided and the sleeve 18 is positionable around thecooler 12. The sleeve 18 is comprised of a thermally insulating materialfor increasing thermal insulation properties of the cooler 12. In thisway the performance of any a cooler 12 can be improved with respect tohow long ice will remain frozen in the cooler 12. The sleeve 18 has atop end 20, a bottom end 22 and an outer wall 24 extending therebetween.The outer wall 24 has a front side 26, a back side 28, a first lateralside 30 and a second lateral side 32.

The outer wall 24 of the sleeve 18 is comprised of a first layer 34, asecond layer 36 and a third layer 38. The first layer 34 is comprised ofa fluid impermeable material and the first layer 34 of the outer wall 24of the sleeve 18 abuts the outer wall 14 of the cooler 12 when thesleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12. The second layer 36 iscomprised of a thermally insulating material and the second layer 36 ispositioned between the first layer 34 and the third layer 38. The thirdlayer 38 is comprised of a light reflecting material such that the thirdlayer 38 reflects sunlight. In this way the third layer 38 reduces heatfrom solar energy that is transferred to the outer wall 14 of the cooler12.

The front side 26 has a pair of first pleated sections 40 that eachextend between the top end 20 and the bottom end 22. The first pleatedsections 40 are spaced apart from each other and each of the firstpleated sections 40 is expandable and contractible. The back side 28 hasa pair of second pleated sections 42 that each extend between the topend 20 and the bottom end 22. The second pleated sections 42 are spacedapart from each other and each of the second pleated sections 42 isexpandable and contractible. The first 40 and second 42 pleated sectionsfacilitate the first 30 and second 32 lateral sides of the outer wall 14of the sleeve 18 to be spaced a selected distance apart from each other.In this way the sleeve 18 can accommodate a variety of cooler 12 sizes.

The first lateral side 30 has a first aperture 44 extendingtherethrough. The second lateral side 32 has a second aperture 46extending therethrough. Each of the first aperture 44 and the secondaperture 46 is aligned with a respective one of a pair of handles 48 onthe cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12 forgripping the handles 48. A first mating member 50 is coupled to thefront side 26 of the outer wall 14 of the sleeve 18.

A cover 52 is hingedly coupled to the sleeve 18 and the cover 52 ispositionable between a first position and a second position. The cover52 is comprised of a thermally insulating material. The cover 52 lies onthe lid 16 of the cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 is positioned around thecooler 12 and the cover 52 is positioned in the first position. In thisway the cover 52 increases thermal insulating properties of the lid 16.The cover 52 extends upwardly from the cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 ispositioned around the cooler 12 and the cover 52 is positioned in thesecond position. Thus, the lid 16 is exposed for opening to access aninterior of the cooler 12.

The cover 52 comprises a panel 54 that has a first surface 56 and aperipheral edge 58, and the peripheral edge 58 has a front side 60, aback side 62, a first lateral side 64 and a second lateral side 66. Theback side 62 of the peripheral edge 58 of the panel 54 is hingedlycoupled to the back side 28 of the outer wall 14 of the sleeve 18. Eachof the first 64 and second 66 lateral sides of the peripheral edge 58 ofthe panel 54 angles inwardly toward the front side 60 of the peripheraledge 58 of the panel 54 to define a flap 68 on the panel 54. The flap 68extends downwardly along the front side 26 of the outer wall 14 of thesleeve 18 when the cover 52 is positioned in the first position. Thepanel 54 may be comprised of a light reflecting material to reflectsunlight away from the lid 16.

The cover 52 includes a pair of insulators 70 and each of the insulators70 is coupled to the first surface 56 of the panel 54. Each of theinsulators 70 extends outwardly beyond a respective one of the firstlateral side 64 and the second lateral side 66 of the peripheral edge 58of the panel 54. Each of the insulators 70 is comprised of a thermallyinsulating material and each of the insulators 70 lies on the lid 16 ofthe cooler 12 when the cover 52 is in the first position. Additionally,each of the insulators 70 extends partially downwardly along the outerwall 14 of the cooler 12 toward a respective one of the handles 48 onthe cooler 12.

A second mating member 72 is coupled to the first surface 56 of thepanel 54 and the second mating member 72 is positioned on the flap. Thesecond mating member 72 releasably engages the first mating member 50when the cover 52 is positioned in the first position. In this way thecover 52 is retained in the first position. Each of the first matingmember 50 and the second mating member 72 may comprise magnets or othermating member that is not affected by temperature or moisture.

In use, the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12 to enhance thethermal insulating qualities of the cooler 12. In this way the cooler 12will keep ice frozen for an extended period of time compared to when thesleeve 18 is not positioned around the cooler 12. The cover 52 ispositioned in the first position when the lid 16 is closed to furtherenhance the thermal insulating qualities of the cooler 12. The cover 52is positioned in the second position to facilitate the lid 16 to beopened for accessing the interior of the cooler 12. Thus, the sleeve 18and the cover 52 improve the thermal performance of existing coolers 12and the sleeve 18 and the cover 52 can be transferred from one cooler 12to another cooler 12. In this way a single sleeve 18 and cover 52 can beemployed to improve performance of multiple, existing coolers 12 thatare owned by a user.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

I claim:
 1. A cooler sleeve assembly being removably positioned around acooler for enhancing thermal insulation of said cooler, said assemblycomprising: a cooler having an outer wall and a lid, said cooler beingcomprised of a thermally insulating material wherein said cooler isconfigured to store temperature sensitive materials; a sleeve beingpositionable around said cooler, said sleeve being comprised of athermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulationproperties of said cooler; and a cover being hingedly coupled to saidsleeve, said cover being positionable between a first position and asecond position, said cover being comprised of a thermally insulatingmaterial, said cover lying on said lid of said cooler when said sleeveis positioned around said cooler and said cover is positioned in saidfirst position wherein said cover increases thermal insulatingproperties of said lid, said cover extending upwardly from said coolerwhen said sleeve is positioned around said cooler and said cover ispositioned in said second position wherein said lid is exposed foropening to access an interior of said cooler.
 2. The assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said sleeve has a top end, a bottom end and an outerwall extending therebetween, said outer wall having a front side, a backside, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said front sidehaving a pair of first pleated sections each extending between said topend and said bottom end, said first pleated sections being spaced apartfrom each other, each of said first pleated sections being expandableand contractible to accommodate a variety of cooler sizes, said backside having a pair of second pleated sections each extending betweensaid top end and said bottom end, said second pleated sections beingspaced apart from each other, each of said second pleated sections beingexpandable and contractible to accommodate a variety of cooler sizes. 3.The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first lateral side has afirst aperture extending therethrough, said second lateral side having asecond aperture extending therethrough, each of said first aperture andsaid second aperture being aligned with a respective one of a pair ofhandles on said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said coolerfor gripping said handles.
 4. The assembly according to claim 2, furthercomprising a first mating member being coupled to said front side ofsaid outer wall of said sleeve.
 5. The assembly according to claim 2,wherein said cover comprises a panel having a first surface and aperipheral edge, said peripheral edge having a front side, a back side,a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said back side of saidperipheral edge of said panel being hingedly coupled to said back sideof said outer wall of said sleeve.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5,wherein each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side ofsaid peripheral edge of said panel angle inwardly toward said front sideof said peripheral edge of said panel to define a flap on said panel,said flap extending downwardly along said front side of said outer wallof said sleeve when said cover is positioned in said first position. 7.The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a pair ofinsulators, each of said insulators being coupled to said first surfaceof said panel, each of said insulators extending outwardly beyond arespective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral sideof said peripheral edge of said panel, each of said insulators beingcomprised of a thermally insulating material.
 8. The assembly accordingto claim 7, wherein each of said insulators lies on said lid of saidcooler when said cover is in said first position having each of saidinsulators extending partially downwardly along said outer wall of saidcooler toward a respective one of said handles on said cooler.
 9. Theassembly according to claim 6, further comprising: a first mating memberbeing coupled to said sleeve; and a second mating member being coupledto said first surface of said panel, said second mating member beingpositioned on said flap, said second mating member releasably engagingsaid first mating member when said cover is positioned in said firstposition.
 10. A cooler sleeve assembly being removably positioned arounda cooler for enhancing thermal insulation of said cooler, said assemblycomprising: a cooler having an outer wall and a lid, said cooler beingcomprised of a thermally insulating material wherein said cooler isconfigured to store temperature sensitive materials; a sleeve beingpositionable around said cooler, said sleeve being comprised of athermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulationproperties of said cooler, said sleeve having a top end, a bottom endand an outer wall extending therebetween, said outer wall having a frontside, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, saidfront side having a pair of first pleated sections each extendingbetween said top end and said bottom end, said first pleated sectionsbeing spaced apart from each other, each of said first pleated sectionsbeing expandable and contractible to accommodate a variety of coolersizes, said back side having a pair of second pleated sections eachextending between said top end and said bottom end, said second pleatedsections being spaced apart from each other, each of said second pleatedsections being expandable and contractible to accommodate a variety ofcooler sizes, said first lateral side having a first aperture extendingtherethrough, said second lateral side having a second apertureextending therethrough, each of said first aperture and said secondaperture being aligned with a respective one of a pair of handles onsaid cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler forgripping said handles; a first mating member being coupled to said frontside of said outer wall of said sleeve; a cover being hingedly coupledto said sleeve, said cover being positionable between a first positionand a second position, said cover being comprised of a thermallyinsulating material, said cover lying on said lid of said cooler whensaid sleeve is positioned around said cooler and said cover ispositioned in said first position wherein said cover increases thermalinsulating properties of said lid, said cover extending upwardly fromsaid cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler and saidcover is positioned in said second position wherein said lid is exposedfor opening to access an interior of said cooler, said cover comprising:a panel having a first surface and a peripheral edge, said peripheraledge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a secondlateral side, said back side of said peripheral edge of said panel beinghingedly coupled to said back side of said outer wall of said sleeve,each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of saidperipheral edge of said panel angling inwardly toward said front side ofsaid peripheral edge of said panel to define a flap on said panel, saidflap extending downwardly along said front side of said outer wall ofsaid sleeve when said cover is positioned in said first position; a pairof insulators, each of said insulators being coupled to said firstsurface of said panel, each of said insulators extending outwardlybeyond a respective one of said first lateral side and said secondlateral side of said peripheral edge of said panel, each of saidinsulators being comprised of a thermally insulating material, each ofsaid insulators lying on said lid of said cooler when said cover is insaid first position having each of said insulators extending partiallydownwardly along said outer wall of said cooler toward a respective oneof said handles on said cooler; and a second mating member being coupledto said first surface of said panel, said second mating member beingpositioned on said flap, said second mating member releasably engagingsaid first mating member when said cover is positioned in said firstposition.